Facts & Questions
Who, What, Where and Why?
We know signage projects often come with questions about specifications, artwork, production timelines, and ADA requirements. This page answers some of the most common questions we receive about our manufacturing process, project workflow, and signage standards.
If you don’t see your question here, our team is always happy to help. Contact us and we’ll guide you through the next steps.
Getting Started
Erie Custom Signs manufactures ADA-ready signage including room identification signs, wayfinding signage, directories, restroom signs, and custom architectural signage for both interior and exterior applications. We specialize in producing signs that meet ADA manufacturing requirements, including raised tactile lettering and Grade 2 braille.
Our signs are fabricated in-house using professional manufacturing equipment to ensure accuracy, durability, and compliance.
Starting a project is simple. You can contact us through our website contact form, email us directly, or call our team to begin the consultation process. During this initial conversation, we review your project requirements, discuss specifications, and determine the best approach for manufacturing your signage.
Once we understand the scope of the project, we prepare a detailed quote based on the information provided.
To provide an accurate quote and begin the proofing process efficiently, we recommend sending the following information with your request:
- Vector Artwork
Please provide vector files for each sign type when available. Preferred formats include AI, EPS, or vector PDF. Vector artwork allows us to accurately convert the design into manufacturing-ready CAD files. - Sign List
A sign list identifies each sign type required for the project along with the quantity of each sign. This helps ensure every sign is accounted for during quoting and production.
To make this easier, we provide a sign list template you can download and complete for your project.
(Download Sign List Template)
- Font Information
If a specific font is required, please include the font name or provide the font file. - Color Requirements
If your project requires specific brand colors, please include PMS numbers or paint specifications if available. - Mounting Requirements
Let us know how the signs will be mounted (adhesive, studs, frames, etc.) so the signs can be manufactured correctly.
Providing this information upfront helps us review the project quickly and ensures the quoting and proofing process moves smoothly.
We make every effort to match brand colors as accurately as possible using PMS color values, Matthews Paint System, and Sherwin-Williams coatings. Our in-house printing and finishing processes allow us to reproduce consistent colors across manufactured signage.
Because materials, finishes, and lighting conditions can affect color appearance, slight variations may occur. Color samples or proofs can be requested for before production when needed.
You will work with two primary points of contact throughout your order: your Customer Service Representative (CSR) and our Graphics CAD Engineering Team.
Your CSR manages the project, coordinates communication, and assists with quotes, scheduling, and order updates. Our Graphics CAD Engineering Team prepares manufacturing-ready artwork and CAD proofs, ensuring layouts, spacing, and specifications meet fabrication and ADA requirements before production begins.
This collaboration ensures your signage is reviewed from both a project coordination and engineering perspective before fabrication begins.
Project communication is handled primarily through email, with phone calls used when needed for clarification or time-sensitive matters.
Throughout the process, you will receive updates during key stages of the order, including proof preparation, proof approval, and production scheduling. Your Customer Service Representative (CSR) and our Graphics CAD Engineering Team work together to ensure questions are addressed and project details are confirmed as the order progresses.
After receiving your request, our team reviews the project details and may ask for additional information such as sign lists, artwork files, or specifications. Once everything is confirmed, we prepare a quote outlining the scope of work.
After quote approval and deposit, we begin the proofing process. Your artwork is converted into manufacturing-ready CAD files and detailed proofs are sent for review before fabrication begins.
Our customer service team can be reached through our Contact Us page, by email, or by phone during business hours. Each project is assigned a dedicated Customer Service Representative who will coordinate communication, proofs, and production updates throughout the order.
Pricing & Quotes
You can request a quote by emailing us, calling our office, or submitting your project details through our Contact Us page. Quotes are prepared based on the manufacturing specifications and information provided during our review.
To help us prepare an accurate quote, please include the following when possible:
- Vector artwork for each sign type (AI, EPS, or vector PDF preferred)
- A complete sign list identifying each sign type and quantity
- Font information if a specific font is required
- Any PMS color values or paint specifications for brand color matching
- Mounting requirements (adhesive, studs, frames, etc.)
Providing this information upfront helps us review your project quickly and ensures the quoting and proofing process moves forward smoothly.
Most quotes are prepared and returned within 24 business hours after we receive the necessary project information.
To help us provide an accurate quote quickly, please include items such as vector artwork, a sign list, material preferences, and any color or font specifications. If additional details are required, our team may reach out for clarification before completing the quote.
More complex projects or large sign packages may require additional review time.
Yes. We offer an initial consultation to review your project and discuss the technical and manufacturing requirements for your signage. This conversation helps determine feasibility, specifications, and the best approach for producing your signs.
If a project requires design work, engineering, or detailed development beyond the initial consultation, those services may be quoted separately depending on the scope of the work.
Yes. A 50% deposit is required before the proofing process begins, with the remaining balance due prior to shipping. This allows us to begin production planning and ensures orders move forward efficiently.
We accept ACH payments (preferred), credit cards, and checks by mail. Invoices are issued through our online portal and can be paid online by credit card or ACH, or by contacting our Accounts Receivable department at 989-754-8360.
Yes, Net 30 terms may be available for qualifying customers. To determine eligibility, please contact your Customer Service Representative.
Sign Design & Customization
Yes. We manufacture custom signage tailored to your project requirements. This includes custom dimensions, materials, finishes, mounting methods, and ADA compliance considerations.
All custom signs are engineered and fabricated in-house so they can be produced accurately and perform as intended in the final installation environment.
Yes. We use professional color-matching systems including Matthews Paint System, Sherwin-Williams coatings, and PMS standards to ensure accurate brand reproduction.
Our in-house five-color printing capabilities (CMYK + white + clear) allow us to reproduce logos, graphics, and brand colors consistently across all manufactured signage.
If you do not yet have artwork prepared, we can assist with sign style development or provide preset design options available through our online wholesale store.
Design services are quoted separately depending on the scope of the project.
Yes. Before fabrication begins, we convert all artwork into manufacturing-ready CAD files and provide detailed proofs for approval.
Proofs confirm:
- Sign dimensions
- Materials
- Mounting methods
- Finishes
- Sign types and layouts
Production does not begin until proofs are reviewed and approved.
While we request vector artwork whenever possible, customer files are often not created at true manufacturing scale or with the specifications required for sign fabrication. Line weights, font thicknesses, spacing, and sizes may appear correct visually but are not suitable for machining, routing, or ADA-compliant production.
All orders are rebuilt in our CAD software so they can be accurately manufactured by our equipment. This allows us to control spacing, layout, and character dimensions to meet ADA requirements, something design software such as Adobe Illustrator or PDF files may not reliably provide.
When recreating raised text, pictograms, and braille, we also verify that the selected font meets ADA compliance standards. There are many reasons a font may not be ADA compliant, and compliance cannot be reliably confirmed from customer-supplied artwork alone. Logos and evacuation maps are typically used as provided, while all tactile elements are manufactured to specification to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Yes, we can use your provided text content and add ADA-compliant braille to the sign.
When using customer-supplied text, raised lettering is produced using printed tactile lettering or laser-cut letters. Engraved lettering is not available for this process due to engraving tool pathing and kerning limitations that cannot be controlled from customer artwork.
While we ensure the braille is manufactured to ADA standards, we are not able to verify or certify that fonts used in customer-supplied artwork meet ADA requirements. All braille is produced to specification, but font compliance remains the responsibility of the provided design.
Yes. We can evaluate existing signage and recreate or modify it for new fabrication based on current specifications, materials, and code requirements. When appropriate, we may recommend updates to improve durability, compliance, or overall performance in the new manufactured sign.
We do not modify or rework existing physical signs; all updates are produced as newly manufactured signs using current materials and fabrication methods.
Materials & Manufacturing
We use a variety of materials selected based on the sign’s intended use, environment, and expected lifespan. Material choices are made to ensure durability, performance, and compliance, whether the sign is for interior or exterior applications.
Common materials we work with include:
- Acrylic and layered acrylics
- Aluminum and composite metals
- High-pressure laminates (HPL)
- ADA substrates
- Painted metals and specialty finishes
- Engraving plastics and laminates
- Chemetal®
Each project is evaluated individually so the materials selected are appropriate for the application, fabrication method, and long-term durability requirements.
If you don’t see the material you’re thinking of for your signage, just ask, we’re always happy to discuss options and help find the right solution for your project.
Quality and durability are built into every stage of our manufacturing process. We use proven materials, controlled fabrication methods, and perform quality checks throughout production to ensure accuracy and consistency. Each sign is inspected before shipment to confirm it meets project specifications and performance expectations.
Yes. We manufacture signs using materials rated for both interior and exterior applications.
If your signage will be installed outdoors, please let us know during the quoting process. Exterior signs often require specific materials, finishes, and fabrication methods to ensure durability and long-term performance in weather and environmental conditions. Our team can help guide the best approach for your project.
The lifespan of a sign depends on several factors, including the materials used, the application, and conditions such as exposure and use. Our manufacturing methods and material selections are designed to support long-term durability when signs are produced to the appropriate specifications.
ADA signage should be cleaned using a soft cloth with mild soap and water or a non-abrasive cleaner. Regular gentle cleaning helps maintain the appearance and readability of the sign without damaging the surface.
Avoid using abrasive cleaners, strong solvents, scouring pads, or harsh chemicals such as acetone, lacquer thinner, or ammonia-based products, as these can damage painted finishes, printed surfaces, or tactile lettering.
If you are unsure about a cleaning product, it is best to test it on a small inconspicuous area first or contact our team for guidance.
If you believe there is an issue with your order, please contact us as soon as possible with your order number and details of the concern. We will review the order against the approved proofs and specifications and work with you to determine the appropriate next steps.
ADA & Code Compliance
Yes. ADA signage is manufactured to specification as part of our production process, not adapted after the fact. During the proofing stage, if we identify any elements that would prevent a sign from meeting ADA requirements, those issues will be clearly noted in the proofs.
We recommend letting us know upfront if you would like us to make the necessary adjustments to ensure all signage is ADA compliant. In most cases, compliance adjustments involve minor size or font changes, or correcting pictogram requirements such as the required 6-inch field.
ADA-compliant signage refers to signs that are manufactured to meet the requirements outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design. From a manufacturing standpoint, this involves much more than simply adding braille to a sign.
ADA signage must include tactile (raised) characters that meet specific requirements for character height, stroke thickness, spacing, and readability. These characters must be raised to a defined height from the sign surface and produced using approved fabrication methods to ensure consistent tactile legibility.
Braille is also required on many ADA signs and must be manufactured using English Grade 2 braille. Braille dot size, spacing, placement, and height are strictly defined and must be produced accurately during manufacturing—not added as an afterthought.
Character spacing, line spacing, and layout are critical to compliance. Proper spacing ensures tactile readability and prevents characters from being too close together or distorted. This is why ADA text is recreated in CAD rather than relying on visual artwork files.
Contrast and finish are also regulated. ADA signs must provide sufficient contrast between the characters and background, and finishes must be non-glare to ensure readability for users with visual impairments.
Pictograms, when used, must follow specific rules, including the required 6-inch minimum clear field and the placement of tactile text directly below the pictogram field.
Finally, mounting location and height requirements apply once the sign is installed. While installation and placement are handled on-site, ADA signs must be manufactured with these requirements in mind so they can be installed correctly.
In short, ADA-compliant signage is the result of precise manufacturing, proper materials, controlled spacing, and accurate fabrication, not just visual design. Our process ensures these requirements are built into the sign from the start.
While we cannot perform site surveys or location scouting, we do work with project teams to review sign lists and specifications to help ensure the correct signage is being manufactured.
We can also help guide which signs typically require braille and tactile characters and which signs do not, based on ADA signage standards. Our team reviews the information provided to help ensure signage is produced to the appropriate specifications.
Final sign placement and determination of required signage should be confirmed by the project team, architect, or code authority responsible for the site.
Our signage is manufactured to meet Federal ADA guidelines. If a project requires compliance with specific state, regional, or local codes beyond ADA standards, those requirements must be provided at the start of the order so the signage can be manufactured accordingly.
Installation & Project Process
We do not provide installation services. As a sign manufacturer, we fabricate signs in-house and ship them directly to you or blind-ship them to your installer or contractor. This allows you the flexibility to work with your preferred installation partner while ensuring you receive high-quality, professionally manufactured signage.
Our process begins when you send us your project requirements and specifications.
We review the details, clarify any questions, and provide a quote based on your needs.
Once the quote is approved, we convert your artwork into production-ready CAD files and send detailed proofs showing each sign by type for approval. After final approval, your order moves into production with quality checks at each stage.
Once complete, the signs are carefully packaged and shipped to your specified location or blind-shipped to your installer.
Once all required information is received and the quote and sign list are approved, initial CAD proofs are typically provided within 72 business hours.
After final CAD artwork approval, most orders move into fabrication and are completed within approximately 2–3 weeks, depending on the scope of the project.
Production timelines can vary based on order size, material selection, special finishes, and manufacturing complexity. Projects requiring specialty materials or larger quantities may require additional time.
Timelines & Scheduling
We recommend requesting a quote 4–6 weeks before your signage is needed whenever possible. This allows time for quoting, proof development, approvals, and scheduling fabrication.
For most orders, production typically takes 2–3 weeks after final CAD artwork approval, depending on the scope of the project. Orders that require special materials or finishes may require additional fabrication time.
Once a quote and sign list are approved, initial CAD artwork proofs are typically sent within 72 business hours for review before production begins.
Starting the process early helps ensure signage can be manufactured and delivered in time for installation.
Yes, rush orders may be possible depending on current production capacity, project scope, and material availability. If your project requires an expedited timeline, please discuss it with your Customer Service Representative (CSR) when requesting your quote so we can determine the best way to accommodate your needs.
Production timelines can vary depending on several factors, including material availability, project scope, approval timelines, and fabrication complexity.
Certain manufacturing processes may also require additional time. For example, first-surface paint and second-surface paint applications involve different preparation and curing processes, which can affect the overall fabrication schedule.
Projects that require special materials, custom engineering, large quantities, or multiple sign types may also require additional production time. Timelines can also be influenced by how quickly proofs are reviewed and approved.
Once final CAD artwork is approved, most orders move through fabrication within the standard production timeframe, depending on the scope of the project.
Warranty, Repairs & Maintenance
Yes. Erie Custom Signs provides a 10-year limited construction warranty covering defects related to the manufacturing workmanship of the sign. This warranty applies to how the sign was fabricated, assembled, and constructed during production.
The warranty covers defects in manufacturing workmanship, including issues related to fabrication methods, assembly, or construction that occur under normal use when the sign is produced according to approved specifications.
If a manufacturing issue is identified, our team will review the situation and determine the appropriate corrective action.
A limited construction warranty refers specifically to the workmanship involved in how the sign was built during manufacturing. This includes fabrication processes, assembly methods, and construction quality.
It does not cover issues caused by installation errors, environmental exposure, misuse, or external damage after the sign leaves our facility.
The warranty does not cover conditions outside of manufacturing workmanship, including:
- Environmental damage or weather-related wear
- Improper installation or mounting
- Vandalism or accidental damage
- Misuse or improper handling
- Normal wear and aging over time
These factors are outside the control of the manufacturing process.
Yes. If an issue occurs, our team will evaluate the sign and the circumstances of the problem. Once reviewed, we will determine the appropriate solution, which may include repair, replacement, or another corrective action depending on the situation.
Our goal is always to work with you to resolve issues as efficiently as possible.